Local News

UPDATE: Great Bend Man Dies in Two Vehicle Crash Sunday

A Great Bend man, 42 year-old Richard E. Newick, was killed in a two vehicle crash on Sunday morning at the K-4, US Highway 281 Junction two and a half miles west of Hoisington.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash occurred shortly before 8:30 Sunday morning. Newick was driving southbound on Highway 281 in a 2001 Ford passenger car when he ran a stop sign at the K-4 & US 281 Junction and was struck by a westbound 2000 Acura passenger car driven by 28 year-old Corey N. Schwerdt of Topeka. Both vehicles entered the southwest ditch and Newick's car struck a telephone pole and then rolled onto it's drivers side.

Newick was taken to St. Rose Hospital in Great Bend where he died. Schwerdt was taken to Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington and later transferred to Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita where he was listed in serious condition Sunday evening.

Both drivers were wearing safety restraints.

According to Russell County EMS Director Jennifer Cisneros, Newick was a current paramedic for the EMS and had been with Russell County EMS or Russell Regional Hospital for five and half years.

If you would like to donate canned goods, non-perishable foods, or paper products to the family of Richard Newick please drop them off at Russell County Eco Devo and CVB at 331 E. Wichita in Russell. Newick leaves behind a wife and three young children. Donations are being accepted until Monday, September 24.